The Cleveland Browns came into the season with one of the most interesting quarterback rooms in the league after drafting Dillion Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. At one point, the quarterback room consisted of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Gabriel, Sanders, and Deshaun Watson.
As it stands now, the room consists of just Gabriel and Sanders after Pickett was traded in the offseason to the Las Vegas Raiders, Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, and Watson was placed on the physically unable to perform list.
The 2-7 Browns currently rank dead last in PFSN’s Offensive Impact metrics, and their starting quarterback, Gabriel, ranks second to last in PFSN’s Quarterback Impact metrics, only ahead of Jake Browning, who Flacco replaced. It begs the question, when is enough enough, and when will Sanders get his shot at the starting role?
NFL Insider Comes to Shedeur Sanders’ Defense
Tony Rizzo is an ESPN-based on-air personality for Cleveland. In the wake of the starting quarterback issue, Rizzo had a few words about head coach Kevin Stefanski’s attitude towards Sanders.
As posted by ESPN Cleveland’s official X account, the caption read, “‘HE WONT EVEN SAY HIS NAME, WHAT IS THAT???,’ – Rizz wants to know what’s going on with Stefanski and Shedeur Sanders.”
“HE WONT EVEN SAY HIS NAME, WHAT IS THAT???,” – Rizz wants to know what’s going on with Stefanski and Shedeur Sanders. pic.twitter.com/AfSLGEqyEk
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) November 12, 2025
Rizzo then follows it up with:
“Kevin, why is it this kid can’t get on the field? Is he that bad? Say something, tell me, is he not working hard enough? I want to hear it from you: Is he working hard enough?… there was nothing coming out of Colorado that said this kid wasn’t a hard worker.”
Rizz wants clear answers from Kevin Stefanski on why Shedeur Sanders isn’t playing and what’s going on in the building. https://t.co/J1Ok0l6Bca pic.twitter.com/Tr4JtVSMgI
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) November 12, 2025
In seven games he has played, Gabriel has completed 58.6% of passes for 869 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. Additionally, he’s been sacked 17 times for 118 yards.
At this point in the season, it could benefit the Browns to try out both players at quarterback, so Shedeur should get some starting opportunities. Gabriel has been alright, nothing special, plus it’s not like you’re playing for wins anyway.
Additionally, gaining insight into both players’ performances in actual games can inform their strategy as they head into the 2026 NFL Draft. Will they need to draft a quarterback like Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Oregon’s Dante Moore? Or, are there qualities they like in Shedeur that can be developed?